Miss Bradford:Paola Mereu
April 26, 2008
Forensic Science student wins Miss Bradford title :
Paola Mereu (22) a student from Bradford has just won the title of Miss Bradford 2008 beating off tough competition from 19 other girls.
Teachers Strike Update
April 24, 2008
Strike to hit hundreds of schools
Teachers are on strike over a pay deal |
A national teachers’ strike is affecting hundreds of schools across West Yorkshire.
The walkout over pay - the first in 21 years - is being staged by The National Union of Teachers (NUT).
More than 400 schools in West Yorkshire have been affected, with about 8,000 hit across England and Wales.
Members want a 4.1% pay increase rather than the 2.45% currently on offer. Hundreds of teachers will join a rally at Bradford City Football Club later.
Pay battle
The NUT is protesting against a pay deal that they say represents an erosion of earnings. Teachers have been offered a three-year deal worth 2.45% this year and then increases of 2.3% in the following years.
Christine Blower, the union’s acting head, said: ” What we’re saying to the government is, if you really do value teachers, then make sure that they’re paid at least at the level of inflation - which we take to be the RPI, which is 4.1%.”
But the government has rejected the complaint - arguing that parents will not be sympathetic.
“I think parents are bewildered because they hear that the average teacher earns about £34,000,” said schools minister Jim Knight.
“Their pay has gone up by 19% in real terms since 1997 and that at 2.45% they’re getting more than the 2% benchmark for public sector pay last year and that it’s a reasonable deal.”
Man arrested in Murder Enquiry
April 24, 2008
Man is arrested in murder inquiry
A 35-year-old man has been arrested |
Detectives have arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of murder after a man’s body was discovered at a house in West Yorkshire.
The victim, who has yet to be identified, was dead when police arrived at the property in Bexley Place, Harehills, Leeds at 0230 BST.
Officers are now questioning the suspect at a local police station.
A post mortem examination is expected to take place later to establish a cause of death.
